Who is in charge, and where are they leading us? Read more >
Mike's Latest Posts
Getting to 100% Clean Energy—and the Grid Operators that Stand in the Way
March 11, 2019 11:15 AM EDT
Photo: William Hope
Wind vs. Gas: Winter Wind Beats New Pipelines
January 8, 2019 4:30 PM EDT
With the cold weather upon us, and a lot of debate about how to supply our energy needs, we can take a look at the power of wind. Wind is actually stronger in the wintertime when it gets colder. The advantages of using wind to reduce natural gas needs in cold weather are real, and especially relevant to the debate over whether or not it makes sense to invest more into gas pipelines.
As we change the power grid, we need to keep the standards that have guided good utility practice. Photo: Mike Jacobs
There is a Standard for Comparing Power Plant Closings with Energy Shortages; Let’s Use it!
November 2, 2018 2:25 PM EDT
The debate about modernizing our energy system has been marred by shifting claims that we need old power plants. We are replacing fossil fuels with steady and rapid adoption of clean renewable energy, and more efficient buildings and appliances and we need to keep the basic reliability principles front and center. The latest analysis from the electricity grid operator in the Mid-Atlantic US, leaves out a crucial piece.
Bringing Energy Storage to Energy Markets
October 12, 2018 3:41 PM EDT
Excitement over storing electricity, and expectations for new market rules in the US, promise great changes in energy. Instead of hype and speculation, this blog offers a preview of those market changes. Read more >
Offshore wind gets started where policy supports it. Photo: M. Jacobs
Department of Energy Walks Into a Fight About Subsidies
September 7, 2018 1:52 PM EDT
There is a fight over power plant costs that could threaten grid reliability, and it’s not as simple as the fight you have been hearing. This wraps together three issues, each of which could cost billions of dollars. By throwing them together, policymakers are jeopardizing the electric grid reliability they say they are trying to protect. Read more >